(Ecofin Agency) - The Emirati and Israeli satellite telecom operators, Yahsat and Spacecom, plan to collaborate with Geeks Without Frontiers to provide Internet connectivity in Africa for humanitarian purposes. The three parties discussed the issue on Wednesday, December 9, at the 9th annual Space Law Symposium, organized under the theme: " Africa – Humanitarian Satellite Connectivity During Crisis."

The two satellite broadband Internet connectivity providers and Geeks Without Frontiers explored an initiative that would provide Africa with a mix of free humanitarian and commercial data capacity to support basic Internet, distance learning and telehealth for vulnerable populations.

According to Ofer Asif, Spacecom's Vice President of Business Development, Marketing and Strategy, “a major part of our essence as a company is in bridging the digital divide and bringing basic connectivity to all, because this is not just a necessity, it’s a human right.”

The collaboration that Yahsat and Spacecom envision in providing satellite broadband connectivity in Africa stems from the Abraham Accord Agreement, including the peace treaty signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates on August 13, 2020.